Following a tough loss to Athens Academy that broke a three-game, season-opening winning streak, John Milledge Academy (JMA) got back on track last Friday night in Statesboro.
The Trojans beat Bulloch Academy with a deceiving 27-18 final score. Despite the nine-point scoring margin, the contest was not that close as two of the Gators’ touchdowns came in the final nine minutes of the game.
JMA had a quick start after forcing the Gators to punt on their first possession of the game thanks to a dynamic connection between quarterback Lewis Cheney and tight end Asa Wall. Wall caught an 18-yard pass for six points, leading to an early 7-0 lead after the PAT.
Bulloch answered back early in the second quarter with a long drive that ended with a one-yard rushing touchdown; however, a blocked kick for the extra point preserved JMA’s lead.
The Trojans headed to the locker room at halftime with a 14-6 lead after Cheney scored the second touchdown of the game with a two-yard rush.
JMA came out hot to start the second half, driving 80 yards for a quick touchdown. Javaris Hurt gained 69 of those yards in one play to give the Trojans a 20-6 lead after missing the extra point.
JMA would score just once more when Wall ran 78 yards late in the third quarter for his second touchdown of the game.
JMA kicker Allman Burrell then tacked on the extra point for a 27-6 Trojans’ lead.
JMA’s defense struggled somewhat in the fourth quarter, however, surrendering two touchdowns. The first came on an eight-yard pass about three minutes into the quarter, followed by an 11-yard rushing score late in the game to reach the 27-18 final.
“I thought we responded well,” JMA head coach J.T. Wall told The Baldwin Bulletin.
“We had a great week of practice, and it showed on Friday night.”
After two weeks on the road, JMA (4-1) returns home this Friday to host non-region Brentwood (5-0) in what promises to be an exciting showdown at Trojan Field in Milledgeville.